Understanding how the brain coordinates and learns movements
Official title: Subcortico-Cortical Mechanisms of Sensorimotor Coordination, Integration, and Learning
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11085266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how the brain learns and controls movements by looking at how it uses internal models, and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding more about how our brains help us move, using advanced techniques with nonhuman primates.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $531,141 |
| NIH project number | 5R35NS137370-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with movement disorders or conditions affecting sensorimotor coordination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely cognitive disorders unrelated to sensorimotor functions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind how the brain coordinates and learns movements by focusing on internal models. Using nonhuman primates, the study employs advanced techniques to analyze neural signals across various brain pathways involved in sensorimotor functions. The approach combines behavioral tasks with large-scale electrophysiology to gain insights into how the brain updates and utilizes these internal models for movement. By integrating knowledge from different scales and disciplines, the research aims to uncover the fundamental principles of sensorimotor coordination and learning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for movement disorders and enhance rehabilitation strategies for patients with sensorimotor dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sensorimotor functions through similar multidisciplinary approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jazayeri, Mehrdad — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Jazayeri, Mehrdad
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.